ISN'T IT NICE BEATING RANDY JOHNSON AGAIN?

Even without the Yankee pinstripes, it's still a pleasure to put a loss next to Randy Johnson's name.

Tim Wakefield pitched great, holding Arizona to 2 hits over 7 innings of work. He only walked 1 and struck out 6. Delcarmen pitched the 8th and looked sharp, striking out 2 of the 3 men he faced. Craig Hansen looked shaky and once again forced the Sox to use Papelbon when they really shouldn't have had to. But Paps struck out the one man he faced to earn Save #23.

Dustin Pedroia continues to hit the ball well. He was 3 for 5. coco Crisp had a big night, going 3 for 4 with a trio of doubles. Kevin Ca$h Money hit his first homerun in a Red Sox uniform in the 8th, and it was a big one. His three run shot gave the Sox some insurance, which was quickly cashed in by Hansen. The one black mark of the game was that Manny was 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts.

This was game #81 for the Red Sox, and halfway through they look pretty sharp. They're on pace for 98 wins, which would be the most regular season wins since 2004. And we all know what happened in 2004. Their offense is impressive, even when missing some of its biggest pieces. But the pitching could use some improvement in all areas. Starters and relievers.

The Sox have Thursday off before starting a 3 game set in Houston. Daisuke will make his return, facing former Red Sox property Runelvys Hernandez. Hernandez is making his first MLB start of the season.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Elise Amendola